This is a list of the top dog trainers in San Antonio, TX, based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public.
CPDT-KA, CGC Evaluator
Aggressive dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, In home training, Puppy training
San Antonio
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Aggressive dog training, Board and train, Protection/guard dog training, Reactive dog training, Service dog training, Off leash training
Born and raised in central FL, I joined the Marine Corps at age 17. After a couple of years spent working as a military police officer in California and Japan, I was blessed with the opportunity to go to school and become a Military Working Dog handler. After working with my (now retired) working dog Xxcalibur for close to three years, I was afforded the opportunity to become a Military Working...
Board and train, In home training, Off leash training
Mel was born and raised in Southern California. After graduating high school in 2017, Mel enlisted in the US Army as a Military Working Dog Handler. She completed military working dog school and was stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen, TX. In 2020, she deployed with her dual-purpose Military Working Dog Cinka to Iraq, where they were attached to an Infantry Battalion belonging to the 82nd Airborn...
From a young age, Taylor has loved animals of all shapes and sizes. Her first introduction to the dog world was her grandmother putting the Westminster Dog Show on the TV for them to watch together. She's worked with neonatal litters and helped find placement for numerous rescues. She's worked in veterinary medicine and loves to care for and help animals. However, she wanted to be more hands on...
Meet Owner and Trainer, Riley Blaylock! Riley's journey into the world of dog training began in the Marine Corps, where he served for 5 years as a Military Police Officer stationed at Marine Corps Base Quantico. During that time he was qualified as a Military Working Dog Handler by the 341st Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, where he graduated at the top of his cl...
Meet Owner and Trainer, Rustin Blaylock! He is a passionate dog trainer with a unique background. Having served in the Marine Corps for 4 years as a Military Police Officer stationed at Marine Corps Base Lejeune, Rustin brings discipline and dedication to his training approach. His expertise extends to canine companions, having been Qualified as a Military Working Dog Handler by the Air Force's...
Board and train, In home training, Off leash training
Jeff was born and raised in Atlanta, GA but moved frequently during his childhood due to his father being in the Army. Growing up, Jeff was led by his adventurous spirit and love for animals. After graduating from high school in 2017, Jeff decided to follow in his father's footsteps and pursue a career of serving his country and joined the US Army, shipping off to basic training two weeks after...
In home training, Puppy training
I have owned dogs all my life and my life turned upside down when I adopted a young cattle dog mix named Pepper. We had been told that Pepper was "good with other dogs", which turned out to be the farthest from the truth. She fought with our other dogs and we could not walk her in our neighborhood without her turning into "Cujo" at the sight of other dogs. We were told by many local trainers...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Reactive dog training, Puppy training
My love of training began 17 years ago when I began assisting at a local dog-rescue facility in South Texas. I learned that most of the dogs needed basic skills, just as much as they needed a permanent, loving home. Their inability to interact was a major reason that they were unwanted, through no fault of their own. On my weekly visits to local pet stores, I became interested and completed a t...
Board and train, In home training, Off leash training
Zach was born and raised right here in San Antonio, TX. He grew up always having a family dog and loved to interact with all animals, but never thought a future career as an animal trainer was in his future.He graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Applied Mathematics in 2017. Since graduation, Zach's career has centered around educating and advising people in a professional set...
Board and train, In home training, Puppy training
Hi, future family! My name is Alexis, but I go by, 'Lexie' was born and raised in San Antonio, TX! I am happily married with, 3 daughters and 4 dogs of my own! Ever since I was a little girl, I have always had a passion for working with dogs. Although when I was younger I would just smother them and expect them to love me. I started out at a local pet store as a trainer, which taught me a lot o...
Board and train, In home training, Puppy training
My name is Angel. I am your next dog trainer for your beloved pup! I have called San Antonio my home for most of my life. I am married to a beautiful wife and have 3 beautiful daughters along with four furry dogs that are a part of our family. I have had various careers in my path but by far I found my calling was working with dogs. I always had a fondness for dogs and how much they can take a ...
Board and train, In home training, Off leash training
Bryan grew up in the Great Plains of Western Nebraska and has always had a passion for outdoors and animals. His passion led him to join the Boy Scouts of America at a young age which he continued through numerous challenges and adventures until he accomplished the highest rank, Eagle Scout. Upon graduating high school, Bryan joined the Air Force in 2012 and started his first military assignmen...
James Haney grew up with a strong love of dogs. As an adult, he joined the armed forces where he served as a Military Working Dog Handler and also as a Kennel Master. Throughout his 13 year career in the working dog field, James noticed that going outside of just what the military offered and exploring different aspects of the sport and service dog world really helped him to handle just about a...
Puppy training, Agility training
Morgan Hanson has been involved in dog training and dog sports for nearly two decades. She recently relocated from Columbus, OH to the San Antonio area. Morgan grew up participating in the sport of agility after leaving the equestrian world. Morgan has had a great deal of success at the national level of competition in the United States, being a 16-time national finalist in multiple different a...
As a military brat, born in Oslo, Norway, I spent my childhood moving around the globe until my father retired from the Air Force. I chose to follow in his footsteps, and served 20 years in the Air Force as a German and Russian Linguist/Translator.In 2000, I retired in Germany, earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in German from the University of Maryland, and worked in various teaching and adminis...
Growing up in a family of animal lovers & conservationists, Angie came by her devotion to animals of all species honestly. As soon as she was able, she became employed at an AAHA accredited veterinary hospital where she began her journey towards what would become her career. She attended Illinois State University through the Animal Science sequence where she furthered her knowledge in animal hu...
Board and train, In home training, Off leash training
Alex grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin surrounded by dogs as family pets and always wanted a career where he could work with dogs. Alex was able to make that dream become a reality when he was selected to become a Military Working Dog Handler during his service in the Marine Corps.Alex served in the United States Marine Corps from 2014 until 2022. During his distinguished service as a Marine, Alex...
Board and train, In home training, Off leash training
Lulu, a vibrant native to San Antonio, graduated from the University of Texas San Antonio with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology. She stumbled into the world of bartending where she honed her interpersonal and customer service skills for 7 years. She loves an active environment and genuinely enjoys connecting with people and their stories! Also, having two dogs, a cat, and reptiles at home, i...
Meet owner and trainer Andrew 'Gunny' Quillin. Active duty Marine turned canine trainer! As an active-duty Marine with 18 years of service as a KC-130 engine mechanic, Andrew brings a unique blend of discipline and dedication to the world of canine companionship. Currently stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Andrew's passion extends beyond military duties. For the past 3 years, he has been ...
Savannah attended her first dog show when she was 8 years old and was instantly hooked. She has been working professionally in the animal industry for over 13 years. As well as training, she is an all-breed master groomer. Savannah has employment experience in multiple faucets of the animal industry including veterinary medicine, animal grooming, and neonatal/wildlife rehabilitation.
S...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, Reactive dog training, Off leash training, Puppy training
Dakoda Riddle served in the United States Air Force from 2009-2020 as a military police K9 handler where Dakoda held the positions of handler, trainer and eventually kennel master. During that time, he led and orchestrated countless multi-agency exercises and training scenarios to ensure his teams were proficient in everything from explosive detection and IED recognition to tactical entries and...
Board and train, Puppy training
My mission is to help you be successful in building a better communication and relationship with your dog. Perfecting this positive dog training method has been my personal passion since 2000.My training does not rely on punishment or force. Behaviors are taught using positive reinforcements, rewarding the dog for the behaviors that we want and redirecting the behaviors that we do not.I often t...
Aggressive dog training, Board and train, In home training, Reactive dog training, Off leash training
Alex grew up in western South Dakota. During his childhood, he was an avid dog lover. Alex first saw the amazing potential that dogs had watching bird dogs work the fields while hunting. Alex continued to work with hunting breeds until he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2012.With a desire to continue working with dogs in the military, Alex was selected to become a Military Working Dog Handler. ...
Board and train, In home training, Off leash training
Maddie Schnell was born and raised in Rapid City, SD. She grew up playing a multitude of sports, loving the outdoors, and her family always had a house full of dogs. Maddie played four years of collegiate softball at Augustana University while majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in English. She taught Elementary and Middle School for over 6 years between her time in South Dakota, Nort...
In home training, Puppy training
Cyndi Smasal is an exceptionally knowledgeable canine expert. Certified as a Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) from the esteemed Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT®), Cyndi is committed to helping dogs and pet parents build strong bonds. With a comprehensive certification exam passed, over 1000 hours of experience working with clients, and a reference from a veterinari...
Welcome to San Antonio’s list of top dog trainers. The San Antonio, Texas list is based on 105 votes from the Texas Sniffspot community. Only the San Antonio dog trainers with the top number of votes made this list. Trainers are ordered by number of votes, with Hannah Barrera at the top of this list with 105 votes. We also counted 1508 votes for Texas, with the remaining trainers listed outside of San Antonio.
Our rankings include trainers certified by CPDT-KA and CGC Evaluator. They also specialize in In home training, Puppy training amongst other training programs.
San Antonio dog trainer services include:
Behind every successful San Antonio training session lies a passionate professional. Hannah Barrera shares why they chose this path: To help those who don't have a voice.. All 26 trainers on this San Antonio list are committed to positive reinforcement. Trusted San Antonio trainer, Mitchell Adcock, uses the following methods: .
Explore the top dog trainers in San Antonio as voted by our community:
Ordered alphabetically, only included cities where there is enough data to compile a list
To help those who don't have a voice..
Patience. Your dog's behavior makes sense to them.. This advice is particularly relevant for dog owners in San Antonio looking to improve their dog’s behavior.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.